13/03/2010

Dorset League Division 2

Sturminster Marshall Res 3  Dorchester Sports 1

The Stur second string maintained their lead at the top of the table after a hard fought win over fourth placed Dorchester Sports.

Matt Jones gave Stur the lead after 15 minutes when he headed home from close range following a desperate goal mouth scramble. Dorchester drew level after 23 minutes when a forward was given too much space in the inside left channel and smashed the ball past stand-in keeper Matt Lambert.

Even at this early stage, the home side had created enough chances to have the game won so the goal was a real blow. To their credit the Stur players showed real character and, in spite of the visitors undisguised efforts to intimidate them out of the game, went straight back onto the offensive. They took the game by the scruff of the neck and took a deserved lead when Steve Johnston hit a superb finish to round off a superb move.

As half time approached, Dorchester delivered a warning that they weren't finished yet and Stur had Lambert to thank when he came off his line a saved bravely at the feet of a Sports forward.

HT: 2-1

Stur kept their grip on the game after the break and the positive approach was rewarded when Tom Rudd sent Geddes clear in the box and he was unceremoniously brought down. Erkan Mete waited whilst the arguments died down, refused to be put off by the keeper's delaying tactics and coolly despatched the penalty.

There was only going to be one winner from this point on. The stand-in Stur keeper hardly had another save to make. If there was one disappointment it was that the obvious superiority was not rammed home. It wasn't a great performance, but it would be churlish to criticise the players after they showed such character to win three tough points.